2013 New England Regional Cyclocross Championships

Yesterday’s New England Regional Cyclocross Championship was a chilly affair. The event was at Coolidge Park in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. The 35+ race wasn’t until 2:50 P.M., so the sun was getting really low in the sky when we started, and it was practically gone when we finished. The temperature was down in the low-30’s Fahrenheit and my feet were very cold.

I drove up with teammate, Arthur Roti. Art had an awesome race and just missed cracking the top-15. He couldn’t close a gap on the last lap after a bobble in the sand pit. I didn’t have a very good race and came home in 23rd. These “masters” races are getting harder. The battle for the win came down to two former national champions.

Mark McCormack got the win. He is a multi-time U.S. champion. Todd Bowden was second. He is a former Canadian national champion. I take consolation in that I was only 3:51 back. Oh well. Not bad. My last ride was at last Sunday’s cross race. If I’m going to get faster at cross, I’m going to have to make the time to train a bit more.

Regardless, I’m having a blast with this. My Seven Mudhoney was again a beast of a machine. I love this bike. I rode most of the race in the big ring and chose to run the two uphill sections. There was no point in risking a fall when you are battling for 23rd place. Art and I did battle with the usual suspects. I was closing in on Keith Burgoyne on the last lap, but he held me off.

Next up is the double at next weekend’s Verge Series race in Sterling, MA. If it’s cold like yesterday (and today), then I’m wearing my knee warmers!